Cops seize Russian rifle

A high-powered Russian assault rifle and 13 rounds of 5.56 ammunition were seized yesterday morning by officers of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) after they were shot at by armed assailants near the East Dry River.

According to police reports, at about 3 a.m. yesterday, a party of IATF officers were on mobile patrol near Duncan Street, Port of Spain, when they heard several loud explosions, similar to that of rapid gun fire, coming from the direction of the East Dry River.

The officers made their way towards the source of the noise and on reaching the vicinity of Basilon Street, East Dry River, observed three men standing along the roadway with firearms in their hands.

Upon seeing the police the assailants began shooting at the lawmen, before fleeing the scene through a nearby track in the road, police said.

The officers gave chase but were unable to locate the assailants.

Police however recovered the rifle and the ammunition when they entered the track. They believe that one of the assailants accidentally dropped the weapon in his attempt to escape. Investigations are continuing.